Larchmont Model Yacht Club

10^th Spring Invitational Regatta

April 8 – 9, 2006

Capping off a decade of LMYC model regattas, this year’s event was an exhibition in contrasts.  The weather, rain, wind and, yes, even some snow, set a gloomy pace at first; but in the end, champions were crowned in the warmth of bright sunlight.  Let’s review the weekend in chronological order so those who couldn’t make it can fully appreciate how amazing an event it really was.

Friday afternoon

As some things in model sailing change, others don’t.  When sailors return to Larchmont, or came for the first time, they were greeted by the warm smile of LMYC’s official registrar, Sara Lynn…one of the things we’re glad hasn’t changed  Joined this year by Pier Witek on Friday and Marion Glennon on Saturday, the ladies checked everyone in, confirmed channel and qualifying division assignments and, where necessary, housing.  Simplifying check-in was the introduction of the new Spectrum radio systems, a regatta organizer’s dream come true allowing everyone to sail on a clear channel with none of the problematic channel shifting experienced in the past.  Practice racing commenced as sailors tuned-up their boats.

Special thanks go to Chuck Luscomb and Lewmar for supplying the great regatta hats everyone received at registration.  Everyone loved them.

Friday night

This was the second year Dave Ramos, a “little-known” model racer from the Chesapeake, agreed to conduct a 914 tuning clinic for those in the area.  After enjoying burgers, dogs and fish with ample libations, Dave got down to business.  Last year’s clinic focused on tactics with Jeff Becker augmenting Dave’s tuning hints.  This year, specific go-fast information was provided to enable the rest of us to play catch-up with the boat speed of the Big Dog.

This writer, demonstrating once again his anal retentive tendencies, scribed five pages of notes from Dave’s comments, and, upon coming up for air next week, will review them with Dave for accuracy and then have them posted for all to share.  A late night it was…but at least it was dry outside.

Thanks to sponsor Heineken for supplying a pair of kegs for the weekend.  Friday saw a large dent put into the first one!

Saturday morning

Did someone say dry outside?  Not on Saturday morning.  Wind from the northwest at 18 – 20 knots created “on-edge” conditions for the sailors.  Temperatures in the 40’s belied the term “Spring Invitational” and rain, how about rain mixed with snow driving most everyone’ electronics crazy.  For the first time, there were reports of water accumulation in the battery compartments of transmitters.  Not an ideal situation for man, beast nor 914.  The plan had been for each of the three qualifying divisions to sail a total of 12 races before promotions for the finals.  By 1300, after already having taken one 45-minute onshore postponement, only nine races had been completed by each division.  A discussion among the committee, volunteers and competitors resulted with all complete agreement that nine races was “just a fine number” for qualifications.  Begrudgingly, but correctly, sailing was canceled for the rest of the day with agreement to arrive early Sunday and, if needed, sail a bit later than originally planned.

Saturday afternoon

One would think that not sailing would put a damper on these competitors.  Not really.  As you step back and think about this RC sailing sport, it is often as much fun to futz around with the boats as race them…well almost as much fun.  And, after the carnage of the morning, there was a great deal of futzing required if everyone was to be on the line the next morning.  The Clubhouse was abuzz with sailors fixing boats all afternoon…not to mention watching a little NASCAR and a bit of The Masters.  Oh yes, our Sponsor Heineken’s keg mysteriously reappeared on the veranda.

Wet foul weather gear, gloves and socks were stacked in front of the Club’s fireplaces as all sought to recover from arguably the toughest set of conditions RC racers could imagine.

Saturday night

Wet dogs by day, dandies by night.  Geez, these model sailors clean up well.  Cocktails started at 1900 in the Club Room with that pesky Heineken keg reappearing with its buddy the LMYC Grog Barrel.  As we entered through the Schaefer Room, sailors and guests were serenaded by CMBRA’s Bucky Buchanan on the piano…adding a little class to the joint.  At 2000, the group of 60 sailors and guests returned to the Schaefer Room where LYC’s Chef Rob Rainone had set forth a spectacular differ buffet: soups, salmon, salads, pork, mussels, fish, veggies…the whole works.  There would be no hungry sailors the next morning.

During dessert, LMYC Commodore welcomed all the competitors and guests making note of various notables in the room and recounting some of the day’s events.  As past participants of this regatta well know, Dave Ramos has been nicknamed Big Dog.  Well, this year Dave’s assistant at Chesapeake Performance Models, Graham Mattonen, was crowned Little Dog.  It was great to have both Dogs and Chuck Luscomb leading the repair processes all afternoon.

After enjoying Bucky’s tickling the 88’s before dinner, LMYC’s Julian Croxall was recruited to share his musical talents and gave the room a few more selections on the piano.  Now, regardless of how talented Bucky and Julian are, unquestionably the highlight of the evening was when Sara Lynn sat down at the piano and was joined by dozens of sailors and guests in a series of Cole Porter songs for which the Committee had thoughtfully provided lyric sheets.  (As noted earlier, a regatta with many contrasts and innovations…That’s Entertainment!)

Sunday morning

Early, did someone say early?  0800 and the boats were coming out of their storage spaces getting ready for the day.  The Sun was out, the temperatures were in the 50’s and would touch the 70’s, and there was NO RAIN.  The wind started from the north again but eventually shifted to the southeast.  Crash boat drivers were kept busy resetting courses. 

Final division assignments were given and the fleet went out to race.  In the end, each finals division completed 20 races in three trips to the racing docks mid-harbor.  The conditions were ideal.  Good breezes, no chop, Sun.  Ahh, Sun.

In the end, “there was no second.”  It appears that Big Dog may not have shared all his tuning tips Friday night as he dominated the championship division with only 29 points.  Dave recorded bullets in 9 of 20 races with nothing below a third that wasn’t eliminated by throw-outs.  In second with 45 points and five bullets, was current EC-12 National Champion and 914 newbie Mark Reinhart from Delaware.  Chuck Luscomb in third with 54 points and a quartet of first followed by CBMRA’s Ernest Freeland with 70 points and a bullet.  It should be noted that Ernie sailed really well and this was his strongest finish in the 6+ times he’s raced with us.  Congratulations guys.

Also in the championship division hunt was Marblehead’s Stuart Tubbs who, whit his wife Sarra, represented one of the two wife/husband teams competing.   Eric Olsson was back from RI to sail, LMYC’s Buddy Wolf sailed consistently as the championship division proved highly competitive.

In the second division, LMYC’s Hank Buchanan took the day with 39 points and five bullets.  After racing, Hank was overheard saying that these boats sail much faster (and better) with their hatches in place rather than his open-hatch attempt of last year.  In second with 45 points and five first was LMYC’s Buttons Padin followed by MMYC’s Chuck Winder (50 points, five firsts) and Stan-the-Man Horan (69 points and a bullet).

Division three found Brian Jobson at the top of the heap with 29 points and nine first followed by Mark Benedict with 35 and six and Dick McCarthy, 51 and 10.

.

Click here to see a PDF file showing the final results for all three divisions.

Special awards

CBMRA’s team of the two Dogs, Ernie and Bucky again won the LMYC Challenge Trophy, Nick Langone won the brand new Lewmar-donated LMYC Servo-Challenged award (a brass winch) for not completing a single race on Sunday and Dave Lynn got the Low Gross trophy for his decision not to sail at all on Saturday.  Pat Guerin, event director extraordinaire and Sara Lynn were also singled out for their contributions to the event.

Hank Buchanan created a series of Senior awards for racers over 60.  MMYC’s Sasha Kavs, the regatta’s phenomenal scorer, was the top placing senior followed by Hank and Chuck Winder.  Thanks for adding these to the mix, Hank.

While those awards are on the lighter side, the big award is the Hugh B. Fletcher Spirit of Sailing Award.  Voted upon by the competitors and volunteers, the recipient of this award is the person who demonstrated the importance of enjoying the event and helping others as much as winning.  This year the regatta voted to recognize all the assistance, repairs and parts Chuck Luscomb contributed to fixing other peoples’ boats, keeping them on the water and, overall, having a great time.  This award was presented this year by Hugh’s brother Chris.  Congratulations, Chuck.

The real heroes

Sailors can come and go, but it is all the volunteers that keep the LMYC Spring Invitational the most noted regatta of the year.  Pat Guerin continues to lead the charge keeping all the balls in the air without missing a beat.  Sasha Kavs, back for the 7^th time as our official scorer, performed yeoman’s work again.  Thanks Sasha.  This year we had back judges including Hans Oen, Sears Wullschleger, LYC Commodore Dave Smalley, Howie McMichael and Pier Witek joined by newbies Roland Shultz, Jody Lee, Bud Heerde and Justin Gibbons.  Managing the race courses were Ruth Campanelli, Betty Guerin, Melanie Benvenue, Pier Witek and Julie Lowder with racer Cathie Horan assisting on Sunday.

Crash boats are critical to our success and thanks go to John Irving, Bob Purcell, Mike Witek, Tom Nelson, Peter Gable and Rick Estabrook.  Roger King, John Lyons and Tom Spelman launched us to and from the docks while Marion Glennon and Pier assisted Sara Lynn’s registration team.

The Larchmont Yacht Club put on superlative hospitality thanks to manager Arthur Maguire, Chef Rob Rainone, Mike Dattero, Lisa Schniella, John Wall, Fitz and Brian and all the guys behind the bar and Captain Patrick Carr’s marine facilities staff.  What a team they are

Pictures will be available soon at LarchmontYC.org.

See you all next year,

Buttons Padin